Xochimilco

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A district in Mexico City known for its extensive network of canals, originally built by the Aztecs for agriculture and transportation
2. A culturally rich area dotted with floating gardens, where traditional boats navigate the waterways, showcasing local crafts and cuisine
3. Recognized for its unique ecological and historical significance, Xochimilco is a UNESCO World Heritage site attracting visitors for both its natural beauty and vibrant heritage

Etymology: Xochimilco is a borough on the southern edge of Mexico City, and its name comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica (Aztec) people. The name is usually analysed as "xochitl" (flower) plus "milli" (field, sown land) and "co" (locative, "in" or "on"), so it means roughly "on the flower field" or "place of the flower fields." That fits a landscape where people built raised garden plots, called chinampas, in shallow lakes and channels and grew flowers and vegetables on them. The name has survived the lakes themselves. Much of the old lake system was drained after the Spanish conquest, and the surviving canals and floating gardens of the area are now a popular attraction, with colourful trajineras (flat-bottomed boats) poled along the waterways. Because the Nahuatl word sits in Spanish spelling with the "x" pronounced like "sh," many English speakers mispronounce it, but the local pronunciation is closer to "so-chee-MEEL-ko."

Synonyms: Xochimilco borough, Mexican aquatic gardens